How to Make a Cow Costume With Spray Paint

Black spray paint can be used to make a wearable cow costume.

Whimsical do-it-yourself costumes are an alternative to store-bought or rented outfits, the benefit being the wearer can dream up whatever they wish using basic household items. Making a homemade cow costume is a perfect example: with a little ingenuity, very little time needs to be spent making a costume that can yield pleasant results, using only a few items and some spray paint.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Marker
• Craft knife
• White plastic coveralls
• Black spray paint
• Painter's tape (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw several large irregularly shaped, splotchy shapes on the poster board. Vary them in size, since the black markings on black-and-white Holstein cattle also vary in size and shape. For inspiration, look at some photos of real cows either online or in magazines.

2. Cut out the shapes with a craft knife. Discard the shapes; you'll only need the poster board itself to use as a template. Spread the disposable white plastic coveralls out on a flat surface. Lay them belly-down and smooth out any wrinkles.

3. Lay the poster board over the coveralls and spray only one shape at a time. Press down on the board to discourage paint from errantly bleeding over onto parts of the coveralls you want to remain white.

4. Pick the poster board up and move it to other areas up and down the backside of the coveralls, painting each shape as you go. After spraying the backside, allow it to dry. Once dry, flip the coveralls over and add some smaller splotches to the legs and arms only (remember, cows don't have markings directly on their bellies.)

References

• "The Halloween Handbook:447 Costumes"; Birdie Clark, Ashley Dodd & Jeanette Beckman; 2004